Inaugural community fire protection grant recipients announced by Forest Products Commission

Community organisations within the South West and Great Southern will share in almost $70,000 as part of the Forest Products Commission’s inaugural community fire protection grants program.

In all seven South West volunteer bushfire brigades and two local governments will receive grants to support their fire prevention preparedness and response activities.

Bushfire brigades to secure funding were those serving Allanson, Argyle, Donnybrook, Nannup, Mumballup-Noggerup, McAlinden and Upper Capel, along with the local governments in the shires of Donnybrook-Balingup and Boyup Brook.

The grants are provided for activities, training, equipment and supplies to prepare for bushfires and protect brigades, communities and the State’s softwood plantations from the threat of bushfires.

Mumballup-Noggerup Bushfire Brigade president Garry Hatch thanked the commission for the funding support.

“This grant means a great deal to our brigade as part of a program aimed at ensuring a reliable, secure water source at our Hearle Road Station, to enable refilling of a large storage tank and having a standpipe from which we can rapidly refill firefighting appliances during a fire,” he said.

Collie-Preston MLA Jodie Hanns said she was pleased to see organisations within her electorate receiving funding.

“Our volunteer fire brigades and local governments play an important role in protecting our community from the threat of bushfire,” she said.